National News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency will offer people the choice to self-select their sex on their Social Security number (SSN) record. The agency anticipates this option will be available in the fall of 2022. “The Social Security Administration is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring the […]

LYONS, Neb. – The Center for Rural Affairs is encouraged to see support for agricultural producers, including a significant increase in proposed funding for Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA), in the Biden administration’s proposed budget for 2023 announced earlier this week.  “Conservation technical assistance is vital to the success of producers’ conservation efforts,” said Kalee Olson, policy associate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.   The FDA previously authorized a single booster dose for certain immunocompromised individuals following completion of a three-dose primary vaccination series.   This

LENEXA, Kan. – On Tuesday, the EPA announced the release of a new web tool, called “ECHO Notify,” that empowers members of the public to stay informed about important environmental enforcement and compliance activities in their communities.  Through ECHO Notify, users can signup to receive weekly emails when new information is available within the selected

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – Have you ever wondered where exactly your drinking water comes from? To help land managers and the public understand where their water comes from and what affects it, the USDA Forest Service launched an interactive map called Forests to Faucets 2.0. The map shows that forests are a critical link in providing

BOSTON, Mass. — Los Angeles, Tuesday, became the first major city in the U.S. to reach an average gas price of $6 or more, according to GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on gas. The national average gas price in the U.S. has begun to decline since its

BLOOMINGTON, Wisc. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposal to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The bat, currently listed as threatened, faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent. Bats are critical to

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) testified before the House Rules Committee about the use of proxy voting, a practice which allows Members of Congress to designate a colleague to cast a vote on their behalf, that Washington Democrats implemented in the House of Representatives at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the

By Jason Smith, member of Congress WASHININGTON, D.C. – Thanks to President Joe Biden and Washington Democrats, our country is in the midst of multiple crises. Inflation continues at a 40-year high; grocery shelves are empty due to supply chain disruptions; Americans are paying on average over $4 per gallon at the pump; foreign dictators